First time poster, but I did a quick search and didn't see anything about this.

I just had a 6 month promotion expire with AT&T which was listed as 'Promotion for FT Msging Unl with Mobile to Any Mobile Calling'. This was essentially $30 off per month, and took my 2 line family account total from $146/mo to $116/mo. If you've never had this promotion, you may be able to get it added via retentions (I did live chat, and they had a retention representative call me back and tell me it was applied to my account within 45 mins. It was a very easy process)

However, they only allow this promotion to be applied once every 12 months. Since they couldn't renew this promo for me, I was offered $20/mo unlimited messaging on my family account instead of the usual $30/mo, and they said that it is good for the life of the account. I was also instructed to call back in 6 months and they could re-add the 'free family talk for 6 month' promotion. Hope this saves somebody some cash - thanks for reading

I'm getting a $10 Credit every month & I'm not completely sure why, this might explain it. I call & complain about everything once a month, it lowers the bills.

Paulaji99

Ancient Member

posted: Jan. 8, 2014 @ 7:52p

I use StraightTalk and have unlimited talk,text ,mms and 2.5gb LTE data on att network

sleepygaint

Member

posted: Jan. 8, 2014 @ 8:18p

AT&T is ripping off its customers. Use T-Mobile $50 everything unlimited with no f$%$% contract.

oxnardprof

Thrifty Member

posted: Jan. 8, 2014 @ 8:26p

I have this promotion already. They applied it even before I renewed my contract.

I did renew my family contract, and the breakeven point with new phones is in 24 months.

ATT has a better network than T Mobile in some parts of the country, so T M is good for some but not everyone.

OP: Did you speak with the retention department? Now that I am under contract again, I wonder if I can get that monthly discount.

jlozon

Member

posted: Jan. 8, 2014 @ 8:47p

Yeah the live chat person had someone from retentions call me, and it only took a couple minutes to get the deal. The funny thing is how he tried to make it hush-hush... he actually said 'If anyone asks you, you pay $30/mo for your family messaging, this $20 rate is a special rate for you'. Which I'm sure is what he tells everyone, but obviously those who don't call in are just paying the 'grandfathered' $30/mo rate without realizing it.

Sk8terboy

Senior Member - 2K

posted: Jan. 8, 2014 @ 9:56p

sleepygaint said: AT&T is ripping off its customers. Use T-Mobile $50 everything unlimited with no f$%$% contract.

That's what I thought after being with AT&T for nearly 3 yrs. I went from 3 family basic phones (only one with 200 texts) for $95/mo with AT&T ...

Ended up saving around $40/mo (for at least the next 2 years) over my old $95/mo AT&T plan when all was said and done.

netnerd

Senior Member

posted: Jan. 9, 2014 @ 4:05a

why why whyif you using a android phone, install Google Voice.it lets you send and receive texts for FREE!

DAVIDGR

Happy Member

posted: Jan. 9, 2014 @ 8:39a

Google Voice is available for iOS too. While text messaging works between phones Google Voice does not receive text messages from other sources... like getting a text from Amazon to track a shipment, or being notified by an airline for change in a flight's status. I wish they'd change that, and then Google Voice would be perfect!

pianoCM

Senior Member - 1K

posted: Jan. 9, 2014 @ 9:42a

Very interested but few questions

@OP, is it $20/month OFF or what? The $20/mo unlimited text for family has been there in the last couple of years, at least on my contract. I don't see anything new about this or maybe I am missing something here?

DAVIDGR said: Google Voice is available for iOS too. While text messaging works between phones Google Voice does not receive text messages from other sources... like getting a text from Amazon to track a shipment, or being notified by an airline for change in a flight's status. I wish they'd change that, and then Google Voice would be perfect! What you are referring to are "short codes." GV is supposed to support them, but in my experience it's very spotty. Twitter short codes work, but my local news station do not, for example. It's a mystery.

What EXACTLY is this called so I can see if I qualify for this too? Maybe instead of paying $30/mo, you now pay $20/mo and save $10 per month. I guess.

titleist1

Senior Member

posted: Jan. 9, 2014 @ 4:00p

Thanks OP, got the deal applied to my account too. After Live Chat, I did get a call from a specialist and while on the phone rec'd a text saying $20 Family Msg plan effective 2/3/14 permanently. Although bill is still outrageous, $120 yearly savings is nice.

megachacker

Senior Member

posted: Jan. 9, 2014 @ 4:02p

titleist1 said: Thanks OP, got the deal applied to my account too. After Live Chat, I did get a call from a specialist and while on the phone rec'd a text saying $20 Family Msg plan effective 2/3/14 permanently. Although bill is still outrageous, $120 yearly savings is nice.

What was the exact "deal" or "plan" you mentioned to get that rate? Or did you just ask if there was any type of unlimited text special.....or threaten to cancel to go to another source?

jlozon

Member

posted: Jan. 10, 2014 @ 10:10a

Megachacker,

Just ask them to apply promotion 'Promotion for FT Msging Unl with Mobile to Any Mobile Calling' to your account. Say that your bill is too high every month, and you are looking at other carriers. Best case scenario they add the promotion and you get the $30/mo 'unlimited texting' part of your family plan free for the next 6 months. Worst-case scenario, they'll make the 'unlimited texting' cost $20/mo instead of $30, and that's a permanent change. Hope this makes more sense to you - good luck!

titleist1

Senior Member

posted: Jan. 10, 2014 @ 11:53a

megachacker said: titleist1 said: Thanks OP, got the deal applied to my account too. After Live Chat, I did get a call from a specialist and while on the phone rec'd a text saying $20 Family Msg plan effective 2/3/14 permanently. Although bill is still outrageous, $120 yearly savings is nice. What was the exact "deal" or "plan" you mentioned to get that rate? Or did you just ask if there was any type of unlimited text special.....or threaten to cancel to go to another source? I just said my bill was too high and asked what promotions were available. They said everything was grandfathered that I had and nothing lower besides mins plan. I said a friend was offered $20 family text and then we went from there. Good luck.

jman1975

Member

posted: Jan. 10, 2014 @ 12:21p

I just asked Live Chat about getting family messaging unlimited for $20/month and they said it is not, it is only available for $30/month. So much for that.

cranamalla

New Member

posted: Jan. 10, 2014 @ 1:14p

Thanks, I was able to talk with the retention department and was able to add the promotion for $30 off for 6 months. To get this promotion you need to be on the 700 minute plan. Rep offered me $20 unlimited text for life or $30 off 6 months and I chose $30 off as he said we can review after 6 months and see what promotions we can add after 6 months once this expires.

pianoCM

Senior Member - 1K

posted: Jan. 10, 2014 @ 1:28p

I'm thinking switching to their new Shared Mobile Value that save $15/smartphone. That way, I'll get unlimited talk and text.I'm from 550-shared family plan with 3 lines (1 smart, 2 basic)

mtenpas

Member

posted: Jan. 10, 2014 @ 3:49p

Thank you, OP. Really appreciate the post.

jlozon

Member

posted: Jan. 10, 2014 @ 4:30p

jman1975 said: I just asked Live Chat about getting family messaging unlimited for $20/month and they said it is not, it is only available for $30/month. So much for that. It's quite possible that only the retentions department can extend this offer to you, as it wasn't hard for me to get and it looks like others are having some luck too. It's worth a call if nothing else - I renewed both of my lines when the iPhone 5s came out, so it's not like I even had much of a bargaining chip. I just told them that my previous $30 off/mo for 6mo promotion had expired, and I feel like I'm paying too much - almost without hesitation he says 'how about we just make your unlimited family texting $20/mo instead of $30?'. Boom, done!

Let me know if you have any luck. I believe in you! :-D

smjbh5

Member

posted: Jan. 10, 2014 @ 4:43p

To the folks getting in on this promo. Are you on family plans? I tried vie chat, not luck. They said to save $$ I should lower my calling plan from 1400 mins to 700 mins. I told them I use a lot of mins. They said if I move to a lower plan They let me keep my 5000 rollover mins. Once that runs out, I should move back to the 1400 plan. I'll save $20/month. I'll do it, but then still try to get this promo as well.

nanook0

Ancient Member

posted: Jan. 10, 2014 @ 4:44p

I am not sure why you would pay $20 a month for texting when there are many apps that let you text anyone in your contacts list for free (or $1 a year).

pianoCM

Senior Member - 1K

posted: Jan. 10, 2014 @ 7:53p

nanook0 said: I am not sure why you would pay $20 a month for texting when there are many apps that let you text anyone in your contacts list for free (or $1 a year). You meant Whatsapp? It only works with contacts that also have whatsapp service. If one of your friends sends you a sms and he isn't using whatsapp, you got charged $0.20.

pianoCM said: nanook0 said: I am not sure why you would pay $20 a month for texting when there are many apps that let you text anyone in your contacts list for free (or $1 a year). You meant Whatsapp? It only works with contacts that also have whatsapp service. If one of your friends sends you a sms and he isn't using whatsapp, you got charged $0.20. Google voice.

pianoCM

Senior Member - 1K

posted: Jan. 10, 2014 @ 9:19p

How?Using GV# on top of AT&T# w/o getting charged for using sms?Also, GV isn't true sms, but more like IM.

DropDeadDeal

Senior Member - 9K

posted: Jan. 11, 2014 @ 12:50p

Thank you OP. You saved me tons of money today. I called 611, asked the first agent to transfer me to retentions to add an offer. I told retentions that I was looking to save money and a friend got this offer. The super friendly lady offered free family messaging for 6 months ($180 value) or $20 lifetime messaging (which I chose). In addition, without asking, she waived all my recent upgrade/new line charges of $36 since I'm a premier customer. Excellent customer service by AT&T!

DaKahuna

Geeky member

posted: Jan. 11, 2014 @ 1:21p

Thanks from me as well! $20 unlimited family messaging and free for 6 months! Plus a $45 service credit this month.

Just curious were you under contract^^^^^. I couldn't get a statement credit

smjbh5

Member

posted: Jan. 12, 2014 @ 8:42p

k8schuck said: Just curious were you under contract^^^^^. I couldn't get a statement credit Yeah, still under contract. They offered the credit, I didn't ask for it.

MeIsCheap

Nerdy Member

posted: Jan. 12, 2014 @ 9:17p

DAVIDGR said: Google Voice is available for iOS too. While text messaging works between phones Google Voice does not receive text messages from other sources... like getting a text from Amazon to track a shipment, or being notified by an airline for change in a flight's status. I wish they'd change that, and then Google Voice would be perfect!

not sure why you would need a txt from Amazon if you have smartphone that you could just google the tracking #, or pull up the email with the link in it. if that's important of a package, im sure you will already be checking it on some kind of a device. not sure why AT&T even charges extra for txt, seems like that would keep people away

the world was getting by just fine when you had to call a land line and leave a msg, now everyone excepts things to happen in seconds. damn you cell phones, in the end I think they just cause more stress...Yes I know they are more benefit than harm, but they have seriously changed the way of life for all (some good, some bad).

emileezmom

Happy Member

posted: Jan. 14, 2014 @ 8:54a

15 year customer.. 700 minute family plan with 3 iPhones with complimentary 10 A-list numbers to make up for all my dropped calls living in the boonies.

I called 2 days ago and got 3 credits. $30 for 3 months from the first rep, and an offer to move me to the 450 plan not offered anymore to save an additional $20 for good... however, I would have lost my A-list, so she passed me on... Next guy offers an another $10 off the top for 12 months, and before he hung up he says I'll go ahead and take off another hundred and change off your next bill... It was $105!!!

Fast forward to today, call back and thank them for everything I got the other day, and can they give me the free 6 months of unlimited texting that my friend just got too... Guy says "sure" without hesitation!

Never hurts to ask ... Thanks OP

jlozon

Member

posted: Jan. 15, 2014 @ 8:53p

Interesting update: I read on Slickdeals that people were getting additional discounts by mentioning T-Mobile's new 'Uncarrier plan' where they will pay your ETF to switch. I called AT&T retentions again and just asked 'Could you tell me what the ETF fee is on my two lines?' The lady told me, and then politely asked why I wanted to know. I said that I was just shopping around, and that I heard that T-Mobile would be paying ETF fees to make a switch in the near future. I said 'I like AT&T's service, but I'm just looking to save money'. She put me on hold for no more than 2 minutes, then came back and issued me a $25 credit today and a $20 credit for the next 3 months. No contract extensions, no further questions. I told her thanks a bunch! So the savings just keep rolling

sdshop

New Member

posted: Jan. 29, 2014 @ 2:58p

jlozon said: I called AT&T retentions again and just asked 'Could you tell me what the ETF fee is on my two lines?' The lady told me, and then politely asked why I wanted to know. I said that I was just shopping around, and that I heard that T-Mobile would be paying ETF fees to make a switch in the near future.

I tried a similar approach and got a $20 credit for 3 months. I don't have any current texting plan and only 1 phone line - iphone with data plan - so the amount of credit and offers will vary somewhat based on your average monthly bill.

Here is some helpful AT&T VRU menu tree info from member bimmer93 in a similar retention thread:

Number to call: 800.331.0500 or 611 from your AT&T phone or 866.907.3480Enter wireless phone number (or press 1 if for the phone you're calling from, 2 if for a different number)Select Option: 4 (Accounts)Select Option: 5 (Cancellations)

Skipping 1 Messages...

kenwallet

Broke Member

posted: Jan. 29, 2014 @ 3:04p

Thank OPI got $30 off for 6 months = $180. The AT&T wanted me to switch to $45/month. My bill is still too high, no switch required. Finally the customer rep knocked off $180.YMMV for each account, and good luck

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